VICKI: (with compassion) Todd!

TODD: So anyway I...I, you know, I started to get better. And so I started to plan my homecoming. And I had....I had some money in a Swiss account, so I bought a new passport, even went to the hospital to make sure that there wasn't anything else to be fixed. And, you know I thought about getting rid of this, (points to his scar, sarcastic) but why scare everyone with my classic good looks. (his voice choking with emotion and face is contorted with pain) Besides I wanted to get home to my wife and my baby, I was in a hurry to show them that I was a new man, at least I thought I was.

VICKI: You had changed.

TODD: New me, (with contempt) same old her. (crosses behind her)

VICKI: (puzzled she turns back to him) Todd, what’s happened? You saw Blair didn’t you?

TODD: (he starts pulling off the petals on the rose, quietly) Yeah.

VICKI: Did she see you?

TODD: No. (with extreme disgust, thru his teeth staring straight ahead) It wasn’t exactly the passionate homecoming I had been dreaming of. She was there alright, and ready to make love, the trouble is she already started with another guy, same guy I took a bullet for! (Vicki, gasps, hands to her mouth) (he whips around to her, throws the rose down, he is extremely angry, hand gestures flying) Don’t you even start!! (hand to his face in frustration)

God, what is it that they say Vicki, no good deed goes unpunished!! And what did I do? I left Blair here, pregnant, and went to (incredulous) Ireland to save Marty, and what do I get? (builds to an all time emotional climax, playing this flawlessly) A new kind of redemption, huh? One that this guy really deserves.(he pounds his chest, she tries to put her hand on him in comfort) No! No! (backs away) So now you know why I’m here, to visit dear old dad, dear old Victor Lord because let’s face it, huh, I’m daddy’s little boy I can heal myself, and......and.......I can (face contorted, cannot get it out) remake myself, but the scar remains. The curse of Victor Lord will always be with me, world after world, Amen. (slowly collects himself)

Scene break

VICKI: (she has her hands tightly clasped together, almost in prayer, talking to him softly, knowing he is fragile) She thought you were dead, Todd. She was devastated by that. (he looks away and down) And in her grief she lashed out at everyone, she hurt an awful lot of people including herself. And then somehow she managed to find a way to get on with her life.

TODD: (ironically) Oh yeah, I saw how she got on with her life.

VICKI: That’s not to say that she would not run to you and embrace you with all of her heart if she knew you were alive.

TODD: (grimaces, says quietly) No. It’s too late for that. (he holds up his ring finger and walks behind her) There are no happy endings. (takes off his ring and tosses it, turns back to Vicki, tears glistening in his eyes) I...I knew that. I knew that. I just forgot. Now I just want to get out of here before anyone can see me.

VICKI: No, are you serious, you’re going without seeing your wife? (he sighs) You’re going to leave your wife and your daughter?? You have a child. (he looks away) Her name is Starr, did you know that?

TODD: (he reacts strongly, looks up at her) Starr?

VICKI: Uh huh.

TODD: (incredulous, comical and touching all at the same time) She named my daughter, Starr??

VICKI: Yeah.

TODD: (with difficulty and great emotion) I...I got her a present once, it was a little star. Oh....(breaking down)

VICKI: (she starts to reach for him but stops herself knowing he won’t tolerate it, then taking control gently with her voice, because he is falling apart) Todd, come stay with me at Llanfair.

TODD: (crying) I told you I don’t want anyone to know that I’m here.

VICKI: It’s fine, it’s huge house. Nobody has to know that you’re there. You just stay hidden until you’re ready to show yourself, okay? Please, please stay, please?

TODD: Okay just.....(mutters) I’m too tired to argue. Umm, I’m telling you Vicki you...you, (collects himself) don’t even try to save me, alright? Just....just, I’m gone, I’m a lost cause.

VICKI: (extremely gentle ) Fine, no problem. (she crosses behind him, smiles, he straightens his jacket as if he has it together and sighs) I will tell you that I have a thing for lost causes. (she gently takes his hand, he does not resist, and he starts to break down again) Oh, Todd. Come on. (she gently takes him out of the cemetery)